Mumbai hoax threat: Police arrest Noida man for '400 kg RDX' message

Mumbai Police arrested a Noida resident for sending hoax bomb threats of 400 kg RDX in 34 vehicles; security has been heightened ahead of Ganesh visarjan processions

The Mumbai Police crime branch has arrested a Noida resident, Ashwin Kumar Supra, for allegedly sending bomb blast threats targeting Mumbai, ANI reported on Saturday. Supra, originally from Bihar, was traced through the phone and SIM card used to send the threats, both of which have been seized. He is being brought to Mumbai for questioning.

 

According to the FIR, Supra allegedly sent the messages as revenge against his friend Firoz, who had filed a case against him in Phulwari Sharif, Bihar, in 2023, leading to his three-month imprisonment. Supra has been living in Noida for five years and works as an astrologer, the Hindustan Times reported.

 

 

Threat sent on Mumbai Traffic Police helpline

Earlier this week, Supra allegedly sent a threatening message to the Mumbai Traffic Police’s WhatsApp helpline. Claiming to represent a fake organisation called ‘Lashkar-e-Jihadi’, he warned that 34 “human bombs” carrying 400 kg of RDX had been planted in 34 vehicles across the city.

 

The message came ahead of intensive security preparations for Anant Chaturdashi, the final day of the Ganesh festival, when multiple visarjans are held across Mumbai.   

 

Police tighten security across city

Following receipt of the message, Mumbai Police said: “Traffic police in Mumbai received threats over their official WhatsApp number. In the threat, a claim has been made that 34 ‘human bombs’ have been planted in 34 vehicles across the city and the blast will shake the entire Mumbai. The organisation, claiming to be ‘Lashkar-e-Jihadi’, says that 14 Pakistani terrorists have entered India.”

 

Police added that the threat also claimed 400 kg of RDX would be used. “Mumbai Police is alert and security across the state has been enhanced. All angles of the threat are being investigated,” officials said.

 

Investigation and charges filed

The crime branch launched an immediate investigation, with the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and other agencies informed. A case has been registered at Worli police station under Section 351 (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Sub-Sections 2, 3 and 4.

 

“This is the same traffic police WhatsApp helpline on which police had received threat messages in the past, which later turned out to be hoaxes,” a police official told PTI.

 

High security ahead of Ganesh visarjan

Police have stepped up security with more than 21,000 personnel deployed across the city to maintain law and order during Ganesh visarjan, which is expected to draw millions of people.

 

Officials urged Mumbaikars to remain calm and not fall prey to rumours. “Traffic police have received such bomb threat messages in the past. There is no need to panic. Security has been beefed up at key locations, and combing operations are underway. Citizens are advised to report any suspicious activity,” they said.

 

(With agency inputs)